First phase of Larnaka masterplan by Foster + Partners commences

Foster + Partners is working alongside Lefkaritis Group, developer bbf: and UDS Architects to commence the building design work for the initial phase of the ‘Land of Tomorrow’ masterplan, which will transform Larnaka’s seafront into a thriving and sustainable community...

all image © Foster + Partners

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From the architect: The first phase of the masterplan is a residential development that will offer the highest standard of beach-front living. An event announcing the collaboration took place on the project site, in the presence of the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, the Mayor of Larnaka, Andreas Vyras, as well as ministers and other officials.

Ben Scott, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, said: “We are delighted to start bringing our vision for Larnaka to life. The first phase of the masterplan creates a sustainable beach-front community with shops, offices, and restaurants on the doorstep. Residents will enjoy spectacular views of the sea and direct connections to the natural surroundings.” 

Located towards the north of the masterplan and facing directly onto the beach, the first residential development will comprise four apartment buildings and a range of facilities such as pools, gyms, saunas, and children’s play areas, totalling over 32,000 square-metres. Residents and visitors will enter the development via verdant courtyards, which provide private spaces for gatherings and relaxation. A new pedestrian trail connecting to the city along the beachfront is lined with pine trees, creating a renaturalised coastal edge. Construction of the first phase is slated to begin in the last quarter of 2025.

The practice’s vision for the wider masterplan, will also provide residents and visitors with a variety of shopping and dining experiences. The project includes plans for a range of restaurants and bars, a luxurious 5-star resort hotel, a state-of-the-art conference centre, private offices, co-working spaces, and event spaces. 

The masterplan will enhance the land’s ecological value and double the length of the waterfront that is accessible to the public. A key feature is the creation of a new coastal pine forest, with approximately 20,000 newly planted trees, enhancing the local ecosystem and providing a green haven for the community. New developments will be carefully stitched into the existing urban fabric and act as a catalyst for expansion towards the north of the city.

A network of shaded, tree-lined streets and landscaped plazas connect the different elements of the masterplan. The city’s canals will be rewilded to create new habitats for wildlife and bring greenery towards the coastline. The existing highway, Larnaka-Dhekelia Road, will be transformed into a verdant and pedestrian-friendly street with new public amenities. 

New developments are sensitively located between the enhanced ecological zones that connect inland areas to the coastline. These new parts of the city are designed at a human-scale and as a natural extension of the urban grain. Larnaka’s industrial heritage is celebrated through the architectural design and integration of industrial artefacts, which will be repurposed to activate the urban realm. 

The developments will create new opportunities for residents, attract people and businesses to the city, activate the coastline and enhance the blue economy. A sustainable mobility strategy is being developed in collaboration with the authorities to connect the masterplan area with the rest of the city and the wider region.